THE chickens are finally coming home to roost for controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo, with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) yesterday indicating that it was eager to grill him and his erstwhile business partners Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu for suspected money laundering and fraud.
Zacc announced that it also intends to interview Chimombe and Mpofu over the presidential goat scheme, which has also been marred by controversy.
This comes as police are also set to come up with a position on the matter later today.
In a statement yesterday,Zacc spokesperson Thandiwe Mlobane said the commission had taken note of a letter purportedly written by Mpofu and Chimombe, to a South Africa-based company, REN-Form, demanding payment and resolution of a contractual dispute.
She said Zacc had also noted the audios allegedly attributed to Chivayo.
“The letter and recordings raise issues related to money laundering and abuse of office that fall within the purview of the commission,” Mlobane said in the statement.
“Consequently, Zacc will be interviewing Messrs Mpofu, Chimombe and Chivayo to gather more information and gain clarity on the matters highlighted.
“The commission is also keen to interview Messrs Mpofu and Chimombe on the presidential goats scheme mentioned in one of the audios.”
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Mlobane encouraged Zimbabweans to report any instance of corruption and support Zacc’s efforts in fighting graft.
An audio recording recently went viral leading to a scandal with Chivayo claiming to have captured President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Zanu PF was forced to warn Chivayo to stop using Mnangagwa’s name in his alleged nefarious deals.
The party’s youth league issued a statement accusing the Intratrek Zimbabwe owner of abusing his proximity to the 81-year-old ruler and called for an investigation into his conduct.
In the purported recording, Chivayo told Mpofu and Chimombe not to fuss about proceeds of an alleged US$40 million Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) tender to supply electoral materials for last year’s disputed polls.
Chimombe and Mpofu accused Chivayo of denying them their share of the loot in the deal and he told them that there were more lucrative deals from the immigration department, police and other government departments that were coming their way because of his proximity to Mnangagwa and other powerful people.
After being thrown under the bus by Zanu PF and government officials, Chivayo distanced himself from the audio and seemed to blame Chimombe and Mpofu for the mess, which he claimed was part of a scheme by the two to extort money from him.
He apologised to Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia, Central Intelligence Organisation director-general Isaac Moyo and other influential people who were mentioned as beneficiaries of the Zec tender or as part of those in his pockets.
Chivayo had of late become a prominent feature at State functions presided over by Mnangagwa, including the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo in April where Kenyan President William Ruto was the guest of honour.
He has donated thousands of dollars at events presided over by the President despite constant questions about his source of wealth.
Chivayo has also donated posh and average cars worth millions of dollars to Mnangagwa’s supporters that include musicians and praise singers, whom he credits for the 81-year-old ruler’s controversial re-election last year.
National police national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi yesterday said he would be in a position to comment after today’s briefings with the police’s top brass.
